My 150 Gallon Build

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Well, I’m making quite a large upgrade from my 26g to a 150. Bought the tank and stand used, gave the stand a fresh coat of paint and will be taking my time piecing it together and really making it right unlike my 26g which I rushed into. Figured I would document the progress

This is how I bought the tank. It was a freshwater, dual overflows which I loved for such a irresistible price.

It took about 6 hours just to fully clean the tank and maybe 2 hours to repaint the stand. I ditched the plumbing that came with the tank as it had just been sitting for awhile and full of algae and god knows what else. Just brought the tank inside two nights ago and my 2 year old daughter is so excited for more “ishys” lol.

I plan on building a canopy to match it so I can hang the lighting. The stand however is pretty tight so I will have to build a double sump from 2 20 gallon longs and will drill them and connect them. Not sure how that’s going to work yet. My awesome coworkers gave me about 50# of rock and a protein skimmer to start it off which I am beyond grateful for.

Will need to clean this guy obviously which I don’t foresee that being too difficult. I’ll be getting some salt next month and a RODI 6 stage. I’ll be going pretty cheap on the lighting for now with some Chinese black boxes and will upgrade them to some AIs over time. Jebao powerheads and return pump are planned initially and want to upgrade them after as well. The ultimate goal is to get the Neptune system as I’m a total nerd on automation and any stats I can get my hands on. Maybe next Christmas . Will need to plumb the tank and plan on doing a dual Herbie. Super stoked!

 

[fuelman]

looks like your off to a good start should be a nice set up.

 

[saan1wu4]

Nice! The setup is looking fresh and clean!

 

[cmaxwell39]

Great job cleaning the tank up. That can be such a chore on a used tank. The tank almost looks brand new again. Looking forward to watching this come together.

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Well I cleaned up the skimmer which btw is a seaside aquatics es5. Looks really nice

And I just picked up two 29 gallon tanks for the sump from Petco on the dollar a gallon deal. The picture won’t upload but I’ll take some when I get the sump/fuge kit and start actually building it and drilling them to combine them. Today I’m going to tint the back glass black which I will also post pics of when I’m finished

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

And here’s the black background. Next is getting the sump ready and plumbing.

 

[CasaReefer]

Looks Awesome.. Back wall matching the stand looks sweet.. Can wait for water.. will be watching for updates.

 

[cmaxwell39]

Great work. It looks like new equipment. Keep the updates coming.

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

New bulkheads and strainers are in! Just ordered my sump/refugium baffle kit. Next I’ll be setting the sump up, and plumbing the tank once that gets in.

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Well. I did it. I drilled the sumps. Got the sump baffle kit last week and have it figure out how I’m gonna set everything up. I have a strong inclination to trying the Triton Method later so I’m going to set it up for that. I’ll have some filter socks for now, and refugium in the first tank and the skimmer section and return in the second. I have tons of pictures of today’s festivities. I will silicone the baffles probably tomorrow. After that I’ll plumb the tank, then hopefully get some water in!

 

[CasaReefer]

Well. I did it. I drilled the sumps. Got the sump baffle kit last week and have it figure out how I’m gonna set everything up. I have a strong inclination to trying the Triton Method later so I’m going to set it up for that. I’ll have some filter socks for now, and refugium in the first tank and the skimmer section and return in the second. I have tons of pictures of today’s festivities. I will silicone the baffles probably tomorrow. After that I’ll plumb the tank, then hopefully get some water in!

Really Getting Close Now...

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Plumbed the sump and drains for the tank! Waiting for my return pump to come in and will add that. Thinking of using dual returns for redundancy so I’ll probably set up a second line when I get the pump in. After that I’ll just get the RODI unit and will fill the tank and let it cycle as I build a canopy for it.

EDIT: I also siliconed the baffles in as you can see. Forgot to add the after pics

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Getting ready to test fill the tank then fill with RODI over the weekend! A lot of progress since my last post. Built a canopy and added some ventilation fans to the top. Finishing some cable management and then the test fill. Fingers crossed!!

 

[MERKEY]

Looking good!

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Thank god I test filled it because I found one small leak on the return but an easy fix! Don’t mind the fuge light. Needed to see under the stand. I think I may add some tape light in case I need more light under there. This weekend it’s time to fill with RO and mix the salt! Next week I’ll add the rock and sand

 

[Ash321]

Getting ready to test fill the tank then fill with RODI over the weekend! A lot of progress since my last post. Built a canopy and added some ventilation fans to the top. Finishing some cable management and then the test fill. Fingers crossed!!

Got any pics of the inside of the capony looking on doing myself one

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Got any pics of the inside of the capony looking on doing myself one

Sure do! Everything is pretty much velcro ties attached to eye screws. I definitely overbuilt it.

 

[Ash321]

Sure do! Everything is pretty much velcro ties attached to eye screws. I definitely overbuilt it.

Thanks mate looks great

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Annnnnd it’s live! The 150 is officially up and cycling!

The rock work didn’t quite turn out the way I had in mind and will be adding some more. Wanted to go with a more minimalist layout. Have a bunch of rock in the sump to make up for it.

 

[reefin_with_the_fam]

Well it’s been a bit since I’ve updated. Nothing too exciting however. Moved my cleaner, Midas blenny, and clowns into the display. As well as a blood shrimp and a second cleaner. Bought a bunch of new fish which are being quarantined right now so hope to put them in next month. I’ll be starting up my coral QT this week and start getting some new pieces in. The wife is having fun with picking out fish so hopefully I can get her on the coral too lol. Here’s some pics of everything that’s been going on